How to reinstall Windows XP without reactivating

How to reinstall Windows without reactivating

Need to format your hard drive and reinstall XP, and don't want to have to go through the product activation process again? You can save the activation status info and then restore it after you reinstall the operating system, as long as you haven't made any changes to the hardware. Here's how:
Before reformatting, in My Computer, double click the drive letter on which you installed XP, and navigate to WINDOWS\System32.
Click "Show the contents of this folder" if necessary.
Copy the following files to a floppy, USB drive, CD/DVD or network location: wpa.dbl and wpa.bak.
After reformatting and reinstalling XP, select NO when asked if you want to activate Windows now.
Restart in Safe Mode.
In My Computer, open the WINDOWS\System32 folder and rename the existing wpa.dbl and wpa.bak files (if you have them).
Now copy your old wpa.dbl and wpa.bak files to the System32 folder.
Restart and you should not be requested to activate again. This only works when you reinstall Windows on the same computer and the hardware remains the same.

Why HD DVD is gonna beat Blu-Ray

OK, so this article is from Microsoft's XBOX 360 site but the argument on the second page if the Xbox.com | E3 2006 - HD DVD Explained article is quite compelling: the quality is the same, the cost is lower and there is an nice and easy upgrade path that support legacy DVD and TV systems. Why would anyone want to go with Blu-Ray?

Nokia - Nokia Wireless Keyboard

Nokia - Nokia Wireless Keyboard Yet another thing to add to the long list of techy gadget stuff that I want and I don't even have a Nokia phone anymore. Imagine using this along with Mobile Messenger on a SmartPhone. Grom says he can't work out if it's cool or magnificently useless but he still wants one.

I would use hotmail and msn messenger more when mobile if it wasn't such a pain typing using txt input. It's useful for on trains but pretty useless while walking or driving. Would I really open that up in public and attempt to write messages? Probably. It's no worse than using a laptop and the batteries last a LOT longer.

Google Mars

How cool is this? The default view shows Olympus Mons just above and left of centre with an artificially coloured map showing elevation. You can use filters to see the map using visible light or infrared and scroll and zoom all over the place. The search functions are pretty cool too. Clicking on one of the 9 links or typing into the search box at the top of the page opens up a search results pane on the left wioth links to all kinds of extra information.

Replacement Ear Buds for the best Headphones in the World

I love my Sony Fontopia MDR-EX71SLB Headphones. I have three pairs: one white and two black. The only problem is now that I've had them a few years I've lost one of the earbuds for the white pair.

I've found out how to get a replacements: phone 0870 240 6354 - they cost £3.50 each (not £3.50 per pair) plus P&P of £1.05 plus VAT.

SEME Limited
Hudson Road
Melton Mowbray
Leicestershire
LE13 1BS
Telephone: 0870 240 6354
Fax: 01664 563 976
email: sony@seme.co.uk
Mon-Fri : 8.30am to 5.30pm Note: For VAIO Spares & Accesories, please call 0207 365 2947

Download the Remove Hidden Data Utility for Office 2003/XP (Word, Excel, Powerpoint)

Download the Remove Hidden Data Utility for Office 2003/XP (Word, Excel, Powerpoint)

Six of one and half-a-dozen of the other

Yesterday's GromBlog had a nasty story from the Smoking Gun about a "Wifely Obligations" contract an American Sicko tried to get his lady to sign.

In response to that, today, Ananova has a story about a wife who stabbed her husband for refusing to have sex with her even though she wore a G-string and everything...

A police spokesperson said: "She did not think she did anything wrong, she kept saying that he was her husband and that he had to fulfil his obligations and that because he didn't she had the right to punish him.